News Photo by James Andersen The 2022 Rogers City football team includes Austin Fenstermaker, Jaymison Fleming, Isaac Paull, Hayden Hentkowski, Spencer Whitford, Josh Altman, Caden Farmer, Caden Brege, Deegan Felax, Rob McFadden, Dylan Lafleche, Ryan Hart, Joe Brado, Joe McFadden, Gus Bellmore, Patrick Mulka, Mason Bowden, and Kaleb Tulgestke.

A pair of Presque Isle 8-man football teams meet tonight and they’re both 2-0. Throw in the fact that the game happens in the middle of the Posen Potato Festival and the contest between Rogers City and host Posen could be a memorable one.

“Playing at their house, during their big festival, it is going to be a tall order,” Rogers City coach Jesse Fenstermaker said. “I know they are going to play us hard, so we have to be at our best.”

Even though only about 15 miles separate the two schools, this is only the 11th all-time meeting between the teams. Rogers City won last year’s match-up 38-0.

“I have heard a little bit of chatter from both communities back-and-forth on who is going to win,” Fenstermaker said. “I think it is a healthy rivalry, it is more of a friendly rivalry but when we are on the field we want to win and obviously they want to win too. It is about bragging rights between two towns that are this close. It means a lot.”

Coming off a one win season last year, to some, Posen’s 2-0 start might be a bit of a surprise. The Vikings throttled Hale 52-0 in week one and survived a close game against Hillman where they had two defensive touchdowns last week, 30-24.

Quarterback Jack Romel has been effective throwing and running the ball and the Viking ground game has had a big lift from Ethan Romel, John Ennest and Ethan Cole Krajniak.

The start is nothing the head coach didn’t expect though.

“The kids have really had a great attitude this year,” Posen head coach Greg Pietsch said. “They are showing up early to practice, staying late and our weight room is back in full swing. I’m really happy with this group and their work ethic. Those are the things that you have to do in order to be successful.”

Pietsch admits though that Rogers City, who has a 78-22 win over the Charlton Heston Academy and a 26-12 win over AuGres, will be one of, if not the biggest test this season.

“They are an older and mature team and it is definitely a challenge,” Pietsch said. “They are senior loaded and they have some very talented athletes. It is definitely going to be a tough ball game, but we are looking forward to it as well. With the Potato Festival going on, it is going to be like a playoff atmosphere, which is one of the reasons why you play football, to play in big games like this. We are 2-0, they are 2-0, this should be fun.”

The Hurons, who went 8-2 in their first year of 8-man football have Isaac Paull, Hayden Hentkowski and Spencer Whitford who have all ran for at least 215 yards and have combined for 11 touchdowns. Whitford can throw the ball when needed to as well.

“It is great to be 2-0 and this is where we expected to be, we expect to have a really solid season and it is starting off well,” Fenstermaker said. “Posen, even though they seem like they are really young, they are tough and physical. They were like that last year and I expect no different this year. They have a lot back this season and now they are a season better. They are going to come out and play their best football and that is what we hope to do as well.”

The Vikings are hoping for their first 3-0 start since 2018. They’ll have to beat a loaded Huron team to do it.

“They are just very sound offensively and defensively, but we are just going to give it our best shot, line up and play football,” Pietsch said. “It is a true test.”